Huge Top Five Match-up Tops Week 8 Slate

MEMPHIS- The Gridiron Developmental Football League is arguably the top league in the country. This weekend will move the league a step closer to being on top of the mountain as the top ranked Huntsville Rockets (7-0) hosts the fifth ranked Middle Tennessee Bulldawgs (6-1). Both teams have something to prove. The home standing Rockets with a victory would solidify their dominance in the GDFL and get noticed outside of the league by sweeping a team that was ranked as high as number two in the country in 2017. For the Bulldawgs, this would avenge a Week 6 two point see-saw battle and would give them needed momentum going into the playoffs.

The second ranked Erie Express have rolled through the season without much of a challenge. They have already clinched the Xtreme East Division and now look to be sharp for a playoff run. The third ranked Oklahoma City Outlawz (6-1) travel to take on the Arkansas Steelers (1-5). The Mississippi Road Warriors, ranked fourth will have the week off. One game to watch, other than the top five match-up, is the Memphis Blast (3-4) looking to play the spoiler’s role when they travel to take on the Tri-City Outlaws (5-2).

GDFL Top 20

#1 Huntsville Rockets (7-0) The undefeated, Huntsville Rockets are defending the number #1 spot weekend after weekend since Week 2 of 2018. The Rockets are front-runners to win the Xtreme West Division. The Rockets will look to finish on top. Big 34-14 victory last week versus the Chattanooga Eagles hurting their playoff hopes. This week they could solidify their dominance by sweeping the Middle Tennessee Bulldawgs. They are on track to become 2018 GDFL National Champions. This week:  home versus Middle Tennessee Bulldawgs (GDFL Game of the Week)

#2 Erie Express (7-0) The undefeated, Erie Express have been moving up in the rankings week to week showcasing their 2018 dominance. The Express have clinched the Xtreme East Division. They rolled the Cleveland Cobras 37-0 and sit pretty to have their conference to make the long trip to Pennsylvania. They are on track to becoming 2018 GDFL National Champions. This week: home versus Central Ohio Calvary 

#3 Oklahoma City Outlawz (6-1) Oklahoma City Outlawz started their 2018 season out with a bang. Sweeping the two-time defending champion Oklahoma Thunder has put the developmental nation on notice. Last week cruised to a 48-8 victory over the Midwest Chargers. The Outlawz are front runners to win the Impact West Division. The Outlawz will look to make a deep playoff run at the 2018 GDFL National Championship. This week: at Arkansas Steelers

#4 Mississippi Road Warriors (6-1) Mississippi Road Warriors have been ranked as high as 2nd this season; however, they are back on their winning ways after suffering a close lost  to the Oklahoma Outlawz. Big 38-8 victory on Sunday night over the Memphis Blast.  The Road Warriors are front runners to win the Impact South Division. The Road Warriors will look to make a deep playoff run at the 2018 GDFL National Championship. This week:  

#5 Middle Tennessee Bulldawgs (5-1) Middle Tennessee Bulldawgs have been ranked as high as 3rd this season. After a home close lost to the #1 Huntsville Rockets, they have tallied two road wins versus the Chattanooga Eagles and the Tennessee Bolts. A huge rematch this weekend at Huntsville will be a tell-tale for who will win the Xtreme West Division. They can make a push for 2018 GDFL Playoffs. This week: at Huntsville Rockets (GDFL Game of the Week)

#6 Lexington Red Dragons (5-1) The Red Dragons have sealed the Xtreme East Division. The Red Dragons will look to finish the season strong and started that by scoring 67 points last week. The Red Dragons will look to make a deep playoff run at the 2018 GDFL National Championship. This week: home versus Tennessee Bolts

 #7 Alabama Sabers (4-2) After a couple big upsets, Alabama Sabers have been racking up wins and are now ranked in the top 10. The Sabers are front runners to win the Impact East Division. The Sabers will look to finish the season strong. The Sabers will look to make a deep playoff run at the 2018 GDFL National Championship. This week:  

#8 Oklahoma Thunder (4-2) The two-time champion Oklahoma Thunder have found  their nemesis in the  Oklahoma Outlawz who have handed them their only two losses since the 2015 season. The Thunder has been racking up wins including a blowout win last week against the Missouri Cyclones. The Thunder will look to finish the season strong. They can make a push for 2018 GDFL Playoffs. This week: at Elite Kansas City

#9 Starkville Steeldogs (4-1) The Starkville Steeldogs still are in control of their 2018 outcome. They have quality opponents on their schedule where they match up well; However, these next few weeks will determine the Gridiron State of mind for this team. The Steeldogs are still in contention to win the Impact South Division. The Steeldogs will look to finish the season strong. They can make a push for 2018 GDFL Playoffs. This week:  

#10 Tri-City Outlaws (5-2) Tri-City Outlaws still are in control of their 2018 outcome. This week they have cracked the top 10.  A victory this weekend versus the Memphis Blast will give them the Impact North Division championship. This week: home versus Memphis Blast

#11 Georgia Crush (5-2) The Georgia Crush has righted the ship and is in control of their playoff destiny. A home victory this weekend against the East Alabama Predators would make them Xtreme South Division champs. The Crush will look to finish the season strong. They can make a push for 2018 GDFL Playoffs. This week: home versus East Alabama Predators

#12 Missouri Cyclones (3-3) Missouri Cyclones are gaining momentum and racking up wins. The Cyclones are still in contention to win the Impact North Division. The Cyclones will look to finish the season strong. They can make a push for 2018 GDFL Playoffs. This week: 

#13 East Alabama Predators (4-3) The East Alabama Predators are gaining momentum and racking up wins. The Predators are still in contention to win the Xtreme South Division with a victory over the Georgia Crush. The Predators will look to finish the season strong. They can make a push for 2018 GDFL Playoffs. This week:at Georgia Crush

#14 Buffalo Spartans (4-3) The Buffalo Spartans are gaining momentum and racking up wins. The Spartans will look to finish the season strong. They can make a push for 2018 GDFL Playoffs. This week: at West Virginia Black Knights

#15 Chattanooga Eagles (3-4) The 2017 runner-up Chattanooga Eagles team has endured a tough schedule.  Their four losses have come inside the tough Xtreme West Division against two top five teams. Last week’s loss to the Huntsville Rockets has stymied any hole for them to go back to the championship game. The Eagles will look to finish the season strong. This week: at Alabama Sabers 

#16 Memphis Blast (3-4) After a couple big upsets early, the Memphis Blast have struggled of late. They now have to take on the role of spoilers starting this week when they travel to Clarksville, Tennessee to take on the Tri-City Outlaws. The Blast will look to finish the season strong. They can make a push for 2018 GDFL Playoffs. This week at Tri-City Outlaws

#17 Tennessee Lightning Bolts (2-4) The Tennessee Lightning Bolts still are in control of their 2018 outcome. They have quality opponents on their schedule where they match up well. A home victory over the #5 Middle Tennessee Bulldawgs will keep them in contention for the playoffs. This week: at Lexington Red Dragons 

#18 Cleveland Cobras (2-4) The Cleveland Cobras still are in control of their 2018 outcome. They have quality opponents on their schedule where they match up well; they are on the heels of the Buffalo Sabers and can’t have anymore hiccups along the way. They can make a push for 2018 GDFL Playoffs. This week: at West Virginia Smash

#19 West Virginia Smash (1-5) The Smash feature a high scoring offense, outscoring the Central Ohio Cavalry in a 54-33 shootout. The Smash can now strap for more victories after getting a taste of it. They can make a push for 2018 GDFL Playoffs. This week: versus West Virginia Smash 

#20 Central Ohio Calvary (1-6) The Central Ohio Cavalry is fighting for their playoff lives. They have to somehow get a victory against a tough Lexington Red Dragon team on the road. The Cavalry is still looking to finish the season strong racking up a few wins. This week: at Erie Express